Image display, Fresnel lens and screen

ABSTRACT

In a Fresnel screen for displaying an image, comprising, a screen surface, and a reverse surface opposite to the screen surface in a thickness direction of the screen to be prevented from facing to the viewer, the Fresnel screen has first prism surfaces extending to have respective longitudinal arc-shapes juxtaposed with each other as seen in the thickness direction to deflect light beams for forming the image in at least one of directions perpendicular to each other as seen in the thickness direction, and second prism surfaces extending to have respective longitudinal shapes juxtaposed with each other as seen in the thickness direction to deflect at least a part of the light beams in at least one of the directions perpendicular to each other as seen in the thickness direction.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application claims priority from Japanese applicationJP2005-369022 filed on Dec. 22, 2005, the content of which is herebyincorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image display apparatus forprojecting an image from an image forming source obliquely onto asurface of a screen of rear projection type through an obliqueprojecting optical system, a Frenel lens sheet usable in the imagedisplay apparatus and the screen of rear projection type usable in theimage display apparatus.

In an image display apparatus disclosed by JP-A-2002-341452, an image isprojected onto a screen obliquely to a normal line of a screen surfacethrough a curved reflection mirror surface for compensating adeformation of the image caused by the oblique projection.

In a rear projection television disclosed by JP-A-5-333437, a circularFresnel lens and a linear Fresnel lens are juxtaposed with each other insuch a manner that prism surface of the circular Fresnel lens and prismsurface of the linear Fresnel lens face to a lenticular sheet in thesame direction or the prism surface of the circular Fresnel lens and theprism surface of the linear Fresnel lens face to each other through agaseous matter.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a projection type imagedisplay apparatus and a Fresnel screen usable in the projection typeimage display apparatus, in which an angle between a normal line of ascreen surface and each of light beams corresponding to respectivepixels forming an image and proceeding out of the whole of the screensurface is decreased effectively by refracting the light beamsproceeding into the screen obliquely to the normal line.

According to the invention, in a projection type image display apparatusfor displaying an image for a viewer, having, an image forming elementfor forming an original image, a Fresnel screen including a screensurface to be set to face to the viewer so that the image to be seen bythe viewer is displayed on the screen surface, and a reverse surfaceopposite to the screen surface in a thickness direction of the screen tobe prevented from facing to the viewer, and a projector for magnifyingthe original image and projecting the image as the magnified originalimage through the reverse surface onto the screen surface, or

in a Fresnel screen for displaying an image formed by a projector for aviewer, comprising, a screen surface to be set to face to the viewer sothat the image to be seen by the viewer is displayed on the screensurface, and a reverse surface opposite to the screen surface in athickness direction of the screen to be prevented from facing to theviewer, so that the image is projected through the reverse surface ontothe screen surface,

the Fresnel screen has first prism surfaces extending to have respectivelongitudinal arc-shapes juxtaposed with each other as seen in thethickness direction to deflect light beams for forming the image in atleast one of directions perpendicular to each other as seen in thethickness direction, and second prism surfaces extending to haverespective longitudinal shapes juxtaposed with each other as seen in thethickness direction to deflect at least a part of the light beams in atleast one of the directions (equal to or different from the above atleast one of directions) perpendicular to each other as seen in thethickness direction. Refracting directions of the first prism surfacesand the second prism surfaces are opposed to at least components ofdirections of projecting directions of the light beams proceeding intothe screen obliquely to the screen surface so that an angle between anormal line of the screen surface and each of the light beamscorresponding to respective pixels forming an image and proceeding outof the whole of the screen surface is decreased effectively.

If the first prism surfaces are included by one of the screen surfaceand the reverse surface, and the second prism surfaces are included bythe other one of the screen surface and the reverse surface, the firstprism surfaces and the second prism surfaces can be integrated on thescreen so that a positional relationship between the first prismsurfaces and the second prism surfaces can be set correctly.

If the screen is prevented from including a gaseous matter arrangedbetween the first prism surfaces and the second prism surfaces in thethickness direction so that the at least a part of light beams isprevented from proceeding through the gaseous matter between the firstprism surfaces and the second prism surfaces, a total number ofboundaries between the screen including the first prism surfaces and thesecond prism surfaces and the gaseous matter along an optical path ofeach of the light beams through the screen is kept minimum so that anoptical design for each of the light beams is simplified.

If at least one of a set of the first prism surfaces and a set of thesecond prism surfaces is operative to deflect at least two portions ofthe at least a part of light beams to be prevented from crossing eachother as seen in another direction perpendicular to the thicknessdirection, the at least a part of light beams is dispersed effectivelyto increase a region in which the image of sufficient brightness can beviewed by the viewer.

If the second prism surfaces are prevented from overlapping a part ofthe first prism surfaces as seen in the thickness direction so that arefractive power for a part of the light beams on a region of the screenin which the second prism surfaces are prevented from overlapping thepart of the first prism surfaces as seen in the thickness direction topass the part of light beams through the part of the first prism surfacewhile preventing the part of light beams from passing through the secondprism surfaces is smaller than a refractive power for another part ofthe light beams on another region of the screen in which the secondprism surfaces overlap another part of the first prism surfaces as seenin the thickness direction to pass the another part of light beamsthrough the another part of the first prism surface and the second prismsurfaces, refractive powers for the respective light beams correspondingto the respective pixels over the whole of the screen surface can be setprecisely at respective desired degrees.

If normal lines of one of the longitudinal arc-shapes of the first prismsurfaces at positions distant from each other along the one of thelongitudinal arc-shapes cross each other at a crossing point as seen inthe thickness direction, and

a distance between the crossing point and the region in a refractingdirection of a refractive power of the second prism surfaces is greaterthan a distance between the crossing point and the another region in therefracting direction of the refractive power of the second prismsurfaces as seen in the thickness direction, and/or

a distance between the crossing point and the region in a directionperpendicular to a refracting direction of a refractive power of thesecond prism surfaces is smaller than a distance between the crossingpoint and the another region in the direction perpendicular to therefracting direction of the refractive power of the second prismsurfaces as seen in the thickness direction, and/or

the crossing point is prevented from overlapping the screen surface asseen in the thickness direction, and/or

a refractive power for a part of the light beams by the second prismsurfaces on a region of the screen relatively radially outer from thecrossing point in a direction parallel to a refracting direction of therefractive power is smaller than another refractive power for anotherpart of the light beams by the second prism surfaces on another regionof the screen relatively radially inner from the crossing point in thedirection parallel to the refracting direction of the refractive power,and/or

a refractive power for a part of the light beams by the second prismsurfaces on a region of the screen relatively radially outer from thecrossing point in a direction perpendicular to a refracting direction ofthe refractive power is greater than another refractive power foranother part of the light beams by the second prism surfaces on anotherregion of the screen relatively radially inner from the crossing pointin the direction perpendicular to the refracting direction of therefractive power,

an optical or refractive characteristic or performance of thelongitudinal arc-shapes of the first prism surfaces is compensated bythe second prism surfaces effectively for decreasing an angle between anormal line of the screen surface and each of the light beamscorresponding to the respective pixels forming the image and proceedingout of the whole of the screen surface.

It is preferable for effectively receiving the at least a part of theobliquely projected light beams with a minimum area of the region thatthe that the second prism surfaces project outward with respect to theregion in the thickness direction.

If normal lines of the longitudinal arc-shape of each of the first prismsurfaces at positions distant from each other along the respective oneof the longitudinal arc-shapes cross each other at a respective crossingpoint as seen in the thickness direction, and the crossing points areprevented from overlapping the screen surface as seen in the thicknessdirection, the first prism surfaces can refract the light beams in bothof the directions perpendicular to each other over the whole of thescreen surface as seen in the thickness direction.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the embodiments of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing an embodiment of a projectiontype image display apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an oblique projection view showing a screen of rear projectiontype usable for the embodiment of the projection type image displayapparatus of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining how to design an original lens surfacebefore converting the original lens surface to prism surfaces of aFresnel lens.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a distance of aposition from a center of the Fresnel lens and a light incidence angleat the position.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between the distance of theposition from the center of the Fresnel lens and a light outgoing angleat the position.

FIG. 6 is an oblique projection view showing a screen including a centerof concentric circular prism surfaces.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a direction of an incidence lightbeam α taken into an area B in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an oblique projection view showing an embodiment of a Fresnellens sheet of the invention as seen from a light beam outgoing side.

FIG. 9 is an oblique projection view showing the embodiment of theFresnel lens sheet of the invention as seen from a light beam incidenceside.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross sectional view showing region C of theembodiment of the Fresnel lens sheet of the invention in y-zcoordinates.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a relationship between the original lenssurface and the prism surface of the Fresnel lens.

FIG. 12 is an oblique projection view showing another embodiment of aFresnel lens sheet of the invention in which a height of the prismsurface on a reverse surface gradually decreases radially inward.

FIG. 13 is an oblique projection view showing another embodiment of aFresnel lens sheet of the invention in which the prism surface on areverse surface is prevented from being formed on a central area in adirection perpendicular to a refracting direction by the prism surfaceon a reverse surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, an image forming source 1 may include, for example, aprojection type Braun tube. Alternatively, it may include an imagemodulation element such as a reflection type/transmission type liquidcrystal panel or a display element including a plurality ofmicro-mirrors or the like. When such image modulation element is used,the image forming source further includes a light source such as amercury lamp or the like for irradiating the image modulation elementwith light, and the image modulation element modulates the lightsupplied from the light source at each pixel in accordance with an inputimage signal so that the image is formed. Whereby, the image of smallsize is formed on a display surface of the image forming source 1. Asshown in FIG. 1, a projection optical system for magnifying the imagefrom the small size and projecting the magnified image onto a rearprojection type screen 3 has a projection lens 2 as an image magnifyingpart for magnifying the image from the small size and projecting themagnified image onto the rear projection type screen 3, a first curvedsurface reflection mirror 4 for reflecting a light beam outgoing fromthe projection lens 2 to form the image, a second curved surfacereflection mirror 5 for reflecting the light beam outgoing from thefirst curved surface reflection mirror 4 to form the image, and areflection mirror 6 of, for example, planer shape, for reflecting thelight beam outgoing from the second curved surface reflection mirror 5to form the image, so that a depth of the image display apparatus isdecreased. The projection lens 2, the first curved surface reflectionmirror 4, the second curved surface reflection mirror 5 and thereflection mirror 6 of planer shape are arranged on an optical path fromthe image forming source 1 to the rear projection type screen 3, and arecontained in a chassis 7 of the image display apparatus to be fixed topredetermined positions.

In the image display apparatus, the light outgoing from the projectionlens 2 to form the image is obliquely projected onto the rear projectiontype screen 3. Therefore, a light beam at a center of the image (a lightbeam emitted from a central position of the image modulation element) isprojected vertically upward with a predetermined angle with respect to anormal line of a main planer surface of the rear projection type screen3. The light beam projected obliquely to form the image generates atrapezoidal deformation and aberration on the rear projection typescreen 3. Therefore, those are corrected by the first curved surfacereflection mirror 4 and the second curved surface reflection mirror 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rear projection type screen 3 has an asphericalFresnel lens sheet (hereafter, calles as an Fresnel lens sheet) 8including a Fresnel lens of refraction type having prism surfaces ofFresnel angles corresponding to an aspherical original surface, and alenticular lens sheet 9 as a dispersion sheet. As shown in FIG. 2, theFresnel lens have the prism surfaces as concentric circles on a lightemitting surface of the Fresnel lens sheet 8.

The Fresnel angle is an angle between the main planer surface of theFresnel lens sheet and the prism surface. In the rear projection typescreen 3, the light projected in a direction shown by an arrow mark a inFIG. 2 to project the magnified image is converted to a lightsubstantially parallel to the normal line of the main planer surface ofthe rear projection type screen 3 by the Fresnel lens sheet 8, that is,the aspherical prism of the Fresnel lens. Alternatively, the light forprojecting the magnified image is converted to a light deflectedradially inward, that is, toward the center of the rear projection typescreen 3. In other words, an outgoing angle of the light emitted fromthe Fresnel lens sheet 8, that is, an angle thereof with respect to thenormal line of the rear projection type screen 3 becomes substantiallyzero. Subsequently, the light emitted from the Fresnel lens sheet 8proceeds into the lenticular lens sheet 9. The lenticular lens sheet 9includes a plurality of lenticular lenses longitudinally extending in avertical direction of the screen and juxtaposed with each other in ahorizontal direction of the screen, so that the light emitted from theFresnel lens sheet 8 is dispersed in the horizontal direction of thescreen. Further, black stripes 10 extending in the vertical direction ofthe screen are arranged at a boundary of the lenticular lens opposed tothe emitting area of the lenticular lens sheet 9 so that a lightproceeding into the emitting area of the screen is absorbed. Further,the lenticular lens sheet 9 includes a transparent resin and dispersingmembers 11 distributed in the resin so that the dispersing membersdisperse the light forming the image in the horizontal and verticaldirections of the screen.

In the above embodiment, the lenticular lens sheet 9 including thedispersing members 11 for dispersion in the horizontal and verticaldirections of the screen is used. Alternatively, a dispersion sheetincluding a total reflection surface for dispersing in the horizontaldirection the light supplied from the Fresnel lens sheet 8 may be used.Further, another dispersion sheet of beads type including closelydistributed micro beads may be used. As a matter of course, anotherlight dispersing member may be used.

Incidentally, a planer front sheet may be arranged at a light outgoingside of the lenticular lens sheet 9. Further, the front sheet and thelenticular lens sheet 9 may be joined to each other through an adhesive.Further, the dispersing members 11 may be included by the front sheetrather than the lenticular lens sheet 9. Further, an anti-reflectionlayer or hard-coat may be arranged at a light outgoing side of the frontsheet 9. A second lenticular lens is arranged to be opposed to the lightoutgoing side of the lenticular lens sheet 9, that is, a focal spot ofthe lenticular lens as shown in FIG. 2, however, this focal spot may beplaner when the image modulating element is used for the image formingsource 1. It is preferable for an air to be prevented from existingbetween the lenticular lens sheet 9 and the front sheet joined to eachother.

With making reference to FIG. 3, how to design a shape of the originallens surface of the concentric prism surfaces of the Fresnel lens on theFresnel lens sheet 8 is explained. The prism surfaces of the Fresnellens on the Fresnel lens sheet 8 are concentrically arranged around apoint (rotational axis). The original surface for determining a Fresnelangle of each of the prism surfaces of the Fresnel lens, that is, anangle between each of the prism surfaces and a main planer plane of theFresnel lens sheet 8, is aspherical. The original surface is the basisof the Fresnel angle of each of the prism surfaces, and corresponds to alens surface before being converted to the prism surfaces of the Fresnellens 8. That is, when the Fresnel angle of each of the prism surfaces ofthe Fresnel lens is determined, a lens characteristic of an imaginarylens corresponding to the Fresnel lens is determined so that the shapeof the surface of the imaginary lens is the original surface.Subsequently, shapes of areas of the original surface (for example,tangential shapes of the areas) are transferred onto corresponding areasof the surface of the Fresnel lens sheet 8, so that the Fresnel angle ofthe prism surface of each of the areas of the surface of the Fresnellens sheet 8 is determined. Therefore, an imaginary curved face as thecombined prism surfaces over the Fresnel lens sheet along the Fresnelangles, that is, a generic face including the prism surfaces over theFresnel lens sheet, is the original surface. Therefore, a refractivedirection of light on each of the prism surfaces of the Fresnel lenssheet is determined in accordance with the shape of the correspondingarea of the original surface. Incidentally, the rotational axis (on aplaner face including z axis) is perpendicular to the main planersurface (x-y face) of the Fresnel lens sheet 8. Further, the rotationalaxis includes a pint 15 at which a light beam 13 proceeding into theFresnel lens sheet 8 and a plane 14 (parallel to y-z plane) dividingvertically the Fresnel lens sheet 8 into identical left and rightportions intersect each other. That is, the rotational axis is an axis12 perpendicular to the main planer surface of the Fresnel lens sheet 8as shown in FIG. 3.

Incidentally, since an incidence angle (with respect to a normal line onan incidence surface) of the light beam 13 varies in accordance with aposition on the screen at which the light beam 13 proceeding into thescreen, a plurality of the axes 12 exist. A central one of the axes 12is used as the rotational axis of the Fresnel lens (a central positionof the concentric circular prism surfaces of the Fresnel lens).

The Fresnel shape (angle) of each of the prism surfaces is determined asfollows. At first, an angle of each of the prism surfaces for emittingthe light beam along the normal line (outgoing angle 0) with refractingthe light beam taken into the screen through the each of the prismsurfaces of the Fresnel lens sheet 8 is determined along theorem ofSnell. Subsequently, the prism surfaces of the determined angles arecombined to form the original (aspherical) surface for the Fresnel lens.Incidentally, the original surface is approximated along ashericalformula. By comparing asherical coefficients and actual light outgoingangles with each other, a position of the rotational axis and theasherical coefficients are modified to make the light outgoing anglessubstantially zero.

The Fresnel lens sheet 8 is formed on the basis of the position of therotational axis as a rotational center of the concentric circular prismsurfaces of the Fresnel lens and the asherical coefficients of theoriginal surface as the combination of the prism surfaces so that thelight beam taken into the screen to form the image through curvedreflection mirrors (first curved reflection mirror 4 and second curvedreflection mirror 5) on the optical path of the light beam in theprojection optical system of the image display apparatus has theoutgoing angle of substantially zero. Therefore, by the Fresnel lenssheet as the embodiment, a brightness of the image can be substantiallyconstant over the whole of the screen.

Examples of numerical values of optical elements for applying the abovedescribed Fresnel lens sheet 8 to an image display apparatus including ascreen of diagonal size 50 inches (aspect ratio 9:16) are shown below.Incidentally, the below table 1 indicates an arrangement of the opticalelements starting from the projection lens 2 in angle and distance in x,y, z coordinates. An angle of the projection lens is an outgoing angletherefrom, and angles of the curved reflection mirrors, reflectionmirror and screen are incidence angles thereof.

A central position of the screen is an origin of the coordinates ((x, y,z)-(0, 0, 0)). Incidentally, left-right direction (horizontal direction)of the screen is the x coordinate, and a rightward direction is+(positive). Further, upward-downward direction (vertical direction) ofthe screen is the y coordinate, and an upward direction is +(positive).Further, a depth direction is the z coordinate, and a backward directiontoward a rear side of the image display apparatus is − (negative).Further, the angle is formed with respect to the x coordinate in x-zcross section. The distance is defined between the optical elementsalong the optical path of the light beam from a central point of theimage modulation element of the image forming source 1 to the center ofthe screen. A unit for the x, y, z coordinates and the distance is mm.

TABLE 1 optical element X y z angle (°) distance projection 0 −761.45−282.32 0 150 lens first curved 0 −623.37 −340.93 45 239.1 reflectionmirror 4 second curved 0 −529.95 −120.84 45 312 reflection mirror 5planar 0 −240.75 −240.75 56 343.3 reflection mirror 6 screen 3 0 0 0 450

w=Σc _(j) ·u ^(m) ·v ^(n)  Formula 1

TABLE 2 C_(j) of first curved reflection mirror u² −3.2627956 * 10⁻⁴  v⁷ −4.2384259 * 10⁻¹⁶ v² −2.7342603 * 10⁻⁴  u⁸ −2.44870957 * 10⁻¹⁶ u²v  4.219671 * 10⁻⁶ u⁶v²  5.59736313 * 10⁻¹⁶ v³ −9.0741489 * 10⁻⁷  u⁴v⁴ −3.9135962 * 10⁻¹⁷ u⁴ 3.76895394 * 10⁻⁸  u²v⁶ −4.82512597 * 10⁻¹⁷ u²v²−6.49737092 * 10⁻⁸   v⁸  −6.7465302 * 10⁻¹⁹ v⁴ 2.20014707 * 10⁻³  u⁸v1.882894699 * 10⁻¹⁷ u⁴v −2.9086400 * 10⁻¹⁰ u⁶v³ 9.969359116 * 10⁻¹³ u²v³−3.4334099 * 10⁻¹¹ u⁴v⁵ −2.42837400 * 10⁻¹⁸ v⁵ −3.2694900 * 10⁻¹² u²v⁷−2.46749206 * 10⁻¹⁹ u⁶ −2.18676160 * 10⁻¹²  v⁹  1.86624308 * 10⁻²⁰ u⁴v²9.93709435 * 10⁻¹³ u¹⁰ −9.74821072 * 10⁻²¹ u²v⁴ 1.830653575 * 10⁻¹² u⁸v² −1.60666389 * 10⁻¹⁹ v⁶ −7.83618202 * 10⁻¹⁴  u⁶v⁴ −1.82715283 *10⁻²⁰ u⁶v −7.07996207 * 10⁻¹⁴  u⁴v⁶  1.57793776 * 10⁻²⁰ u⁴v³ 3.1929889 * 10⁻¹⁴ u²v⁸  2.10989801 * 10⁻²¹ u²v⁵ 5.88653028 * 10⁻¹⁷ v¹⁰−2.91564903 * 10⁻²³

TABLE 3 C_(j) of second curved reflection mirror u²  −7.0783312 * 10⁻⁴v⁷ −6.15789986 * 10⁻¹⁵ v²  1.40773686 * 10⁻⁴ u⁸ 8.458346543 * 10⁻¹³ u²v−3.23558379 * 10⁻⁶  u⁶v² −1.54520583 * 10⁻¹⁷ v³ −3.658032027 * 10⁻⁷  u⁴v⁴  1.02166797 * 10⁻¹⁷ u⁴ 1.384747347 * 10⁻⁸  u²v⁶ −3.01595786 * 10⁻¹⁷u²v² −1.248068173 * 10⁻⁸   v⁸ 3.855409065 * 10⁻¹⁷ v⁴ −4.698830800 *10⁻⁹   u⁸v −3.06405908 * 10⁻²⁰ u⁴v 5.448132025 * 10⁻¹¹ u⁶v³ 3.00052439 * 10⁻²⁰ u²v³ −5.46538633 * 10⁻¹¹ u⁴v⁵ −9.83809597 * 10⁻²⁰ v⁵3.707619336 * 10⁻¹¹ u²v⁷ 3.316504812 * 10⁻¹⁹ u⁶ −4.17675900 * 10⁻¹³ v⁹−8.37876233 * 10⁻²⁰ u⁴v² 3.874442611 * 10⁻¹³ u¹⁰ −1.05747627 * 10⁻²²u²v⁴ −1.91573040 * 10⁻¹⁴ u⁸v² 7.491755095 * 10⁻²³ v⁶  4.21324044 * 10⁻¹⁴u⁶v⁴ −2.16969819 * 10⁻²³ u⁶v −3.52688320 * 10⁻¹⁶ u⁴v⁶ 5.684876639 *10⁻²² u⁴v³ 6.905122262 * 10⁻¹⁷ u²v⁸ −1.02473070 * 10⁻²¹ u²v⁵5.931535661 * 10⁻¹⁶ v¹⁰ 7.886171405 * 10⁻²³

In the coordinates on the formula 1, a transverse direction is along ucoordinate, a vertical direction is along v coordinate, and a directionperpendicular to the surface and parallel to the z coordinate is along wcoordinate. Further, in the formula 1, c_(j) is coefficient foru^(m)·v^(n) to be obtained along the formula 2, and j is an integernumber not less than 2.

j=[(m+n)² +m+3n]/2+1  Formula 2

As described above, the reflection surfaces of the first curved surfacereflection mirror 3 and the second curved reflection surface mirror 4are free-form surfaces. The free-form surfaces in the embodiment aresymmetrical with respect to the y coordinate, however are notsymmetrical with respect to the x coordinate. That is, the reflectionsurfaces of the first curved surface reflection mirror 3 and the secondcurved reflection surface mirror 4 are the free-form surfaces not-havingrotational symmetries. At least one of them is curved to project withrespect to the reflecting direction thereof, and a curvature of a partfor reflecting the light beam proceeding into a lower end of thetransmission type screen 3 is greater than a curvature of another partfor reflecting the light beam proceeding into an upper end of thetransmission type screen. Further, the part for reflecting the lightbeam proceeding into the lower end of the transmission type screen mayproject with respect to the reflecting direction, and the another partfor reflecting the light beam proceeding into the upper end of thetransmission type screen may be concaved.

The following formula 3 is a polynominal equation representing theaspherical surface for determining the shape of the original surface forthe Fresnel lens sheet 8. Examples of coefficients for the polynominalequation representing the aspherical surface for determining the shapeof the original surface for the Fresnel lens sheet 8 are shown in thebelow table 4.

$\begin{matrix}{z = {\left( {c \cdot r^{2}} \right)/\left\lbrack {1 + \left\{ {1 - {\left( {1 + k} \right) \cdot c^{2} \cdot r^{2}}} \right\}^{1/2} + {d_{4} \cdot r^{4}} + {d_{6} \cdot r^{6}} + {d_{8} \cdot r^{8}} + {d_{10} \cdot r^{10}} + {d_{12} \cdot r^{12}} + {d_{14} \cdot r^{14}} + \ldots} \right.}} & {{Formula}\mspace{14mu} 3}\end{matrix}$

TABLE 4 c  −2.89878 * 10² k −1.0541549 d₂ −0.386266 * 10⁻⁴ d₄  0.760589 * 10⁻⁹ d₆ −0.431335 * 10⁻¹⁴ d₈   0.111331 * 10⁻¹⁹ d₁₀−0.148576 * 10⁻²⁵ d₁₂   0.100254 * 10⁻³¹ d₁₄  −0.2707 * 10⁻³⁸

In the formula 3, z is a sag value on a face parallel to the zcoordinate, r is a distance from the rotational axis, c is a topcurvature, k is a conic coefficient, dn (n=2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 12 - - -: multiple of 2) is an aspherical coefficient in n order.

In the Fresnel lens sheet 8 of the embodiment, on the basis of adistribution of the incidence angles of the light supplied to the screento form the image, the central axis of the Fresnel lens (refer todenoting number 12 in FIG. 2) is arranged downwardly distant from thecenter of the screen by 545 mm. In other words, in the embodiment, thecentral axis is not arranged on the surface of the Fresnel lens sheet 8,but arranged at the outside of the surface of the Fresnel lens sheet 8,that is, the outside of an area for displaying the image. The prismsurfaces of the Fresnel lens extend along concentric circular arcsaround the central axis at the outside of the screen.

A relationship between the original surface 21 of the Fresnel lens sheet8 obtained along the asperical coefficients in table 4 and the prismsurfaces 22 of the Fresnel lens is shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows across section of the Fresnel lens sheet 8 being parallel to the normalline of the Fresnel lens sheet 8 and including the rotational axis. InFIG. 6, r corresponds to r in the formula 3 representing the distancefrom the rotational axis. The Fresnel angle θ₁ of the prism surface 22of the Fresnel lens (an angle between the main planer surface of theFresnel lens sheet 8 and the prism surface) at the distance r₁ issubstantially equal to an inclination (tangential line) of the originalsurface 21 at the distance r₁. That is, when the aspherical formula ofthe original surface represented by the formula 3 is Z (=F(r_(n))) and nis integer number not less than 1, the Fresnel angle θ_(n) of eachposition on the Fresnel lens 8 is represented by the formula 4.

θ_(n) =F(r _(n))′  formula 4

Therefore, θ₁=F(r₁)′, θ₂=F(r₂)′, θ₃=F(r₃)′, - - - are obtained. Asdescribed above, the Fresnel angled θ_(n) at each position on theFresnel lens sheet 8 substantially corresponds to a differential valueon each position (each distance r_(n)) of the aspherical formula so thatthe Fresnel angle θ_(n) at each position on the Fresnel lens sheet 8 isdetermined. As described above, the light beam proceeding into theFresnel lens sheet 8 is refracted by the prism surfaces 22 of theFresnel lens. If the original surface 21 of the Fresnel lens sheet 8 hasthe aspherical shape determined in accordance with the incidence anglesof the light beams proceeding into the respective positions of theFresnel lens sheet 8, the light beam refracted by each of the prismsurfaces 22 is emitted parallel to the normal line of the Fresnel lenssheet.

Accordingly, the angles of the prism surfaces of the Fresnel lensstepwise or gradually increase along a radially outward direction fromthe center of the Fresnel lens. In the embodiment, the Fresnel angle ofthe prism surface 22 at the upper portion of the Fresnel lens sheet(that is, the farthest position from the rotational axis) is greaterthan the Fresnel angle of the prism surface 22 at the lower portion ofthe Fresnel lens sheet (that is, the closest position from therotational axis), because the incidence angle of the light beam at theupper portion of the screen is greater than the incidence angle of thelight beam at the lower portion of the screen in the oblique projectionoptical system of the embodiment. Further, in the embodiment, since therotational axis is arranged at the outside of the Fresnel lens sheet 8,the prism surfaces 22 are inclined in the same direction.

Further, in the embodiment, the optical axis of the projection lens isarranged on the y-z plane so that the axis of the image forming lightbeam is refracted on the y-z plane by two curved surface reflectionmirrors and a planer surface reflection mirror. Incidentally, a totalnumber and arrangement of these optical elements should not be limitedto the above embodiment.

For example, the optical axis of the projection lens may be directedparallel to the x coordinate, and the optical axis may be bent in thedirection of the z coordinate by the reflection mirror or the curvedsurface reflection mirror so that the light beam is reflected on the y-zplane by the curved surface reflection mirror and the planer surfacereflection mirror. By this arrangement, the projection lens and theimage forming source can be contained in the chassis below the screen sothat a height of the image display apparatus can be kept low.

Further, the projection optical system of the embodiment may includes atleast one curved surface for correcting the trapezoidal deformation andaberration, and the two curved surface reflection mirrors do not need tobe used. For example, the curved surface may be formed by at least onereflection free-form surface. Alternatively, a lens having at least onenon-reflecting type but a refraction type free-form curved surface, thatis, a non-rotationally symmetrical lens having a free-form surface maybe used. Further, a combination of the reflection type free-form curvedsurface (free-form curved surface reflection mirror) and the refractiontype free-form curved surface (free-form curved surface lens) may beused as a matter of course. The free-form curved surface lens may becurved to be concaved to emit the light therefrom, and a curvature of anarea thereof for emitting the light beam to be received by the lower endof the screen may be greater than a curvature of another area thereoffor emitting the light beam to be received by the upper end of thescreen.

Incidentally, in the above described embodiment, the prism surfaces aredetermined to calculate the aspherical surface of the lens for theFresnel lens 8. However, a difficulty for optimizing it may be causedby, for example, an oblique projection distance or the like. Hereafter,how to determine preferably the prism surfaces in such situation will beexplained.

Generally, a horizontal angle of visibility is wider than a verticalangle of visibility. Therefore, a diffusion effect in horizontaldirection is improved by the lenticular lens. The vertical angle ofvisibility is increased by the dispersing members (reference numbers 9,11 in FIG. 2) in the lenticular lens. Accordingly, the shapes of theprism surfaces of the Fresnel lens are determined as follows. That is,the angles of the prism surface are not calculated to make the lightbeams emitted from the screen parallel to the normal line of the screento be optimized, but they are calculated to decrease outgoing angles ofvertical components of the light beams emitted from the screen separatedfrom horizontal components thereof to about 0 degree. Accordingly, theprism surface at each screen position is determined.

The vertical component to which the low dispersing effect is applied canbe emitted at the outgoing angle of about zero degree by the originalsurface obtained by combining continuously the prism surfaces determinedas described above. Therefore, they can be dispersed sufficiently by theconventional dispersing members. On the other hand, the horizontalcomponent to which the high dispersing effect is applied can bedispersed sufficiently even when the outgoing angle thereof is great.Incidentally, the prism surfaces of the Fresnel lens forming the Fresnellens sheet 8 may have a curved surface, and does not need to havenecessarily the aspeherical shape. However, the Fresnel lens 8 havingthe prism surfaces corresponding to the aspherical shape of the originalsurface improves further an evenness in brightness of the image over thewhole of the screen surface. Incidentally, each of the prism surfacesmay be planer or curved in a cross section of the Fresnel lens sheet 8including the rotational axis. The curved surface may be aspherical.

In the above embodiment, the prism surfaces of the Fresnel lenscorresponding to the aspherical shape of the original surface extendconcentrically circularly around the rotational axis, and the rotationalaxis is arranged at the outside of an image display area of the imagedisplay apparatus. However, the rotational axis may be arranged at theinside of the image display area of the image display apparatus. On theother hand, if a central point of concentric circles of the prismsurfaces is arranged at the inside of the image display area of theimage display apparatus, a refractive power is easily adjustable to makethe outgoing angle from the screen light emitting surface substantiallyzero. A reason thereof is described below. Incidentally, hereafter, theadjustment of the refractive power is called as refraction adjustment.

At first, a case where the rotational axis is arranged at the inside ofthe Fresnel lens sheet is taken into consideration. The prism surfaceson an imaginary horizontal line passing the rotational axis refract thelight only in horizontal or left-right direction, and do not refract thelight in vertical or up-down direction. Therefore, when the light beamincluding vertical component reaches the horizontal line passing therotational axis, the light beam including vertical component cannot beeffectively changed to a collimated light beam (parallel to the normalline of the screen main planer surface).

In the embodiment, the projection optical system for projecting theimage upwardly and obliquely toward the screen is used, and the obliqueprojection optical system has the curved surface for restraining thetrapezoidal deformation and aberration on the screen. In such opticalsystem, all of the light beams supplied to the screen include usuallythe vertical components. Therefore, it is preferable for the Fresnellens sheet 8 to be prevented from including the prism surface unable torefract the light vertically, so that the vertical and horizontalrefraction adjustments are enabled to be performed at each positions ofthe Fresnel lens sheet 8.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the center (at which normal linesof at least one of the arc-shaped prism surfaces at respective positionsdistant from each other along the at least one the arc-shaped prismsurfaces cross each other as a crossing point as seen in a thicknessdirection of the Fresnel lens sheet) of the Fresnel lens is arranged atthe outside of the Fresnel lens sheet 8 so that all of the prismsurfaces of the Fresnel lens sheet can refract the light in both of thevertical and horizontal directions. Therefore, the refraction adjustmentin both of the vertical and horizontal directions can be performed ateach position of the Fresnel lens sheet 8. In other words, by arrangingthe rotational axis at the outside of the Fresnel lens sheet 8, thelight beams taken into the screen can be converted effectively to thecollimated light beams.

If the center of the Fresnel lens is arranged at the inside of theFresnel lens 8 in the projection type image display apparatus using theprojection optical system including the curved surface reflectionmirror, the following problem occurs.

If the center of the Fresnel lens is arranged at the lower end of theFresnel lens sheet 8 as shown in FIG. 6, the prism surfaces on ahorizontal area overlapping the center of the Fresnel lens may be deemedto extend parallel to the vertical direction of the screen. A light beama proceeding into B portion at a lower left area of the screen in FIG. 6is shown in FIG. 7. The light beam α can be divided to a component βalong x coordinate, a component γ along y coordinate and a component δalong z coordinate. A direction of the component δ corresponds to adirection of the light beam emitting perpendicularly to the Fresnel lenssheet, and the component β along x coordinate, the component γ along ycoordinate need to be refracted to be emitted in the direction of thecomponent δ. However, since the prism surfaces of the Fresnel lens sheet8 have no angle with respect to the y coordinate, the light beam cannotbe refracted to be emitted in the direction of the component δ.Therefore, the light beam a proceeding into B portion at the lower leftarea of the screen is emitted upwardly from the screen rather thanperpendicularly to the screen.

The below mentioned embodiment solves the problem occurring when thecenter of the Fresnel lens is arranged at the inside of the Fresnel lens8. That is, in the embodiment, incidence prism surfaces 30 are arrangedat a part of a light incidence surface of the Fresnel lens sheet 8including a point opposed to the center of the Fresnel lens. Hereafter,the part on which the incidence prism surfaces 30 are arranged is calledas a prism area. The incidence prism surfaces 30 extend straightly andhorizontally as seen from the screen surface and juxtaposed with eachother vertically, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the light beam proceeds into the Fresnel lanssheet 8 in b direction. Another part of the light incidence surface ofthe Fresnel lens sheet 8 other than the prism area is substantiallyplaner, and the Fresnel lens 21 of concentric circular shape foremitting the light beam substantially parallel to the screen surface isarranged on an emitting surface of the Fresnel lens sheet 8. The prismarea includes the incidence prism surfaces 30 juxtaposed with each othervertically and extending parallel to a lower side of the Fresnel lenssheet. An optical operation of the incidence prism surfaces 30 isexplained below with making reference to FIG. 10.

As shown in a left portion of FIG. 10, the incidence prism surfaces 30refract the light beam in y-z face to be emitted parallel to the normalline of the screen surface so that the vertical component of theoutgoing light beam emitted from the Fresnel lens sheet 8 is madesubstantially zero. Angles of the incidence prism surfaces, that is,vertically refracting value are determined from an average of desiredvertically refracting values for the light beams proceeding into theprism area. On the other hand, as shown in a right portion of FIG. 10,the outgoing light beam emitted from the Fresnel lens sheet 8 isdirected vertically upward, because the incidence prism surfaces 30 donot vertically refract the light beam proceeding into the planer anotherpart of the light incidence surface.

As described above, in the embodiment, the incidence prism surfaces 30are arranged only on the prism area rather than the whole of the lightincidence surface of the Fresnel lens sheet 8. The prism area has apredetermined width W in the vertical direction of the screen as shownin FIG. 9. The width W is determined to satisfy a formula of T/15≦W=≦T/4when a vertical dimension of the screen is T. For example, when a sizeof the screen is 50 inches and the vertical dimension thereof T is about600 mm, the width W is about 40-150 mm. That is, the area of the width Whas a small vertical refractive power, and whereby the incidence prismsurfaces 30 are arranged on such area to refract the light beamvertically as a substitute for the Fresnel lens in the vicinity of thecenter of the Fresnel lens. Accordingly, the outgoing light beams of theoutgoing angle of substantially zero can be emitted from such area ofthe small vertical refractive power.

In the embodiment, the incidence prism surfaces 30 are arranged on thewhole horizontal length of the screen. However, the incidence prismsurfaces 30 do not need to be arranged on the whole horizontal length ofthe screen. A part of the Fresnel lens in the vicinity of the center ofthe Fresnel lens has the vertical refractive power, and the verticalrefractive power decreases radially outwardly from the center of theFresnel lens. Therefore, a height or prism-angle of the incidence prismsurfaces 30 at a radially inner side in the vicinity of the center ofthe Fresnel lens may be smaller than that at a radially outer side ofthe Fresnel lens as shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively, the incidence prismsurfaces 30 may be prevented from being arranged at the radially innerside in the vicinity of the center of the Fresnel lens as shown in FIG.13.

Further, since the incidence prism surfaces 30 and the prism surfaces ofthe Fresnel lens are perpendicular to each other, moiré therebetweendoes not need to be considered. Therefore, a pitch of the incidenceprism surfaces 30 is determined in accordance with a pitch of pixels orthe like.

Although the center of the Fresnel lens is arranged at the lower end ofthe Fresnel lens sheet in the above embodiment, the center of theFresnel lens of the Fresnel lens sheet 8 may be arranged within thescreen surface while the incidence prism surfaces 30 are arranged on thearea including the point opposed to the vicinity of the center of theFresnel lens so that the same effect is obtained. Although the lightbeam proceeding into the area including the point opposed to thevicinity of the center of the Fresnel lens has a vertically upwardcomponent in the above embodiment, the light beam proceeding into thearea including the point opposed to the vicinity of the center of theFresnel lens may have a vertically downward component when theinclination of the incidence prism surfaces 30 is inversed with respectto that of incidence prism surfaces 30 shown in FIGS. 8-10.

From FIG. 4 showing a distribution of the incidence angle of the lightbeam proceeding into the screen (ordinate) with respect to a distancefrom the center of the Fresnel lens (abscissa) as actually measured inthe magnifying projection system as described above, it is known thatthe incidence angle is not zero but is Δθ at the center of the Fresnellens.

In FIG. 5 showing a distribution of the outgoing angle of the light beamemitted from the screen (angle between the outgoing light beam and thenormal line of the screen surface) with respect to the distance from thecenter of the Fresnel lens (abscissa), the outgoing angle of the lightbeam emitted from the screen obtained when the Fresnel lens sheet 8having the Fresnel lens corresponding to a spherical shape as theoriginal surface is shown by a dot line.

As shown in FIG. 5, a difference in the outgoing angle between theFresnel lens corresponding to the spherical shape as the originalsurface and the Fresnel lens corresponding to the aspherical shape asthe original surface is about 5 degrees as maximum value in accordancewith the distance from the center of the Fresnel lens (abscissa).Further, the difference is about 1.5 degree in the vicinity of thecenter of the Fresnel lens at which the refraction is not obtained in yand z directions. Therefore, the brightness over the screen isinconstant. On the other hand, when the Fresnel lens sheet 8 as theembodiment is used, since the Fresnel lens corresponds to the asphericalshape of the original surface and the incidence light beam is refractedvertically by the incidence prism surfaces 30, the outgoing angle of thelight emitted from the screen surface is limited to not more than about0.8 degree irrespective of the distance from the center of the Fresnellens (abscissa). In other words, the brightness over the screen isconstant over the whole of the screen surface.

The image display apparatus of screen diagonal size of 50 inches (aspectratio 9:16) with the magnifying projection optical system as describedabove has a depth of about 300 mm so that a decrease in depth is furtherdeveloped. Incidentally, the projection lens of the above embodiment hasa projection length of 1300 mm to magnify and project the image onto thescreen of diagonal size of 50 inches (aspect ratio 9:16). However, theinvention is not limited to the above embodiments regarding dimensionsand characteristics of the elements thereof. For example, the dimensionsand characteristics may be modified with the curved surface reflectionmirror in accordance with the oblique projection angle and theprojection length.

As described above, the invention is applicable to the image displayapparatus in which the oblique projection optical system is used todecrease the depth and the curved surface reflection mirror is used tocorrect the trapezoidal deformation and aberration caused by the obliqueprojection. For emitting the light beams perpendicular to the screensurface after receiving the light beams having respective incidenceangles different from each other, the original surface corresponding tothe Fresnel lens of the Fresnel lens sheet is aspehrical in theembodiments. Further, the incidence prism surfaces 30 are arranged atthe area including the point opposed to the center of the Fresnel lens.Therefore, the light beams emitted from the whole of the screen surfaceare made perpendicular to the normal lines of the screen surface so thata high quality image with constant brightness is obtainable.Additionally, the depth of the apparatus is decreased.

It should be further understood by those skilled in the art thatalthough the foregoing description has been made on embodiments of theinvention, the invention is not limited thereto and various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

1. A projection type image display apparatus comprising an image formingsource for forming an image, a screen and a projection optical devicefor magnifying the image formed by the image forming source andprojecting it obliquely to have a predetermined angle with respect to anormal line of the screen, wherein the screen has at least a Fresnellens sheet including a plurality of Fresnel lenses concentricallyarranged on a light emitting side of the Fresnel lens sheet, prismangles of the Fresnel lenses increase in a direction radially outwardfrom a center of the concentric Fresnel lenses, and the Fresnel lenssheet includes a plurality of incidence face prisms extendinghorizontally and juxtaposed vertically on a predetermined area of alight incidence surface of the Fresnel lens sheet, which area includes aposition opposite to the center of the Fresnel lenses.
 2. The projectiontype image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an originalsurface formed by continuously joining prism surfaces of the Fresnellenses is aspherical.
 3. The projection type image display apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a vertical width of the predetermined areaincluding the incidence face prisms is T/15-T/4 when T is a verticalwidth of the screen.
 4. The projection type image display apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the screen further has a dispersing sheetarranged on the light emitting side of the Fresnel lens sheet todisperse at least horizontally the light emitted from the Fresnel lenssheet.
 5. A projection type image display apparatus comprising an imageforming source for forming an image, a screen and a projection opticaldevice for magnifying the image formed by the image forming source andprojecting it obliquely to have a predetermined angle with respect to anormal line of the screen, wherein the screen has at least a Fresnellens sheet including a plurality of Fresnel lenses concentricallyarranged on a light emitting side of the Fresnel lens sheet, an originalsurface formed by continuously joining prism surfaces of the Fresnellenses is aspherical, and the Fresnel lens sheet includes a plurality ofincidence face prisms extending horizontally and juxtaposed verticallyon a predetermined area of a light incidence surface of the Fresnel lenssheet, which area includes a position opposite to the center of theFresnel lenses.
 6. The projection type image display apparatus accordingto claim 5, wherein the projection optical device has a curved surfacemirror to reflect the magnified image onto the screen, and asphericalcoefficients defining the aspherical shape of the original surface aredetermined so that the projected image proceeding into the incidencesurface of the Fresnel lens sheet after being reflected by the curvedsurface mirror is deflected to be emitted from the substantial whole ofthe screen with outgoing angles of substantial zero.
 7. A screen usablefor a projection type image display apparatus, comprising at least aFresnel lens sheet including a plurality of concentric Fresnel lenses ona light emitting surface thereof, and a dispersing sheet arranged at alight emitting side of the Fresnel lens sheet to disperse at leasthorizontally the light emitted from the Fresnel lens sheet, whereinprism angles of the Fresnel lenses increase in a direction radiallyoutward from a center of the concentric Fresnel lenses, and the Fresnellens sheet includes a plurality of incidence face prisms extendinghorizontally and juxtaposed vertically on a predetermined area of alight incidence surface of the Fresnel lens sheet, which area includes aposition opposite to the center of the Fresnel lenses.
 8. The screenaccording to claim 7, wherein a light flux from a center of an imageforming source for forming an image proceeds into an incidence surfaceof the Fresnel lens sheet obliquely to a normal line of the incidencesurface.
 9. The screen according to claim 7, wherein an original surfaceformed by continuously joining prism surfaces of the Fresnel lenses isaspherical.
 10. The screen according to claim 7, wherein a verticalwidth of a predetermined area including the incidence face prisms isT/15-T/4 when T is a vertical width of the screen.
 11. The screenaccording to claim 7, wherein a prism height of the incidence faceprisms at a central portion of the screen is lower than a prism heightof the incidence face prisms at another portion thereof other than thecentral portion.
 12. The screen according to claim 7, wherein theincidence face prisms is prevented from being arranged at a centralportion of the screen on the predetermined vertical area.
 13. The screenaccording to claim 7, wherein the center of the Fresnel lenses isarranged in the vicinity of a lower end of the screen, and the incidenceface prisms extend substantially parallel to an edge of the lower end ofthe screen.
 14. The screen according to claim 7, wherein the dispersingsheet including a plurality of lenticular lenses juxtaposed horizontallyand one of micro-beads and a total internal reflection surface forreflecting at least horizontally the light emitted from the Fresnel lenssheet to be dispersed.
 15. A Fresnel lens sheet usable for a screen in aprojection type image display apparatus, comprising, Fresnel lensesconcentrically arranged on a light emitting surface of the Fresnel lens,and a plurality of incidence face prisms arranged on a predeterminedarea of a light incidence surface of the Fresnel lens sheet, which areaincludes a position opposite to a center of the Fresnel lenses, whereinthe incidence face prisms extend horizontally and are juxtaposedvertically on the predetermined area, and prism angles of the Fresnellenses increase in a direction radially outward from the center of theconcentric Fresnel lenses.
 16. The Fresnel lens sheet according to claim15, wherein an original surface formed by continuously joining prismsurfaces of the Fresnel lenses is aspherical.